One day is all it takes: circadian modulation of the retrieval of colour memories in honeybees

In this study, we examined how honeybees coped with successive tasks of colour discrimination with conflicting demands. Free-flying honeybees (Apis mellifera) were trained on tasks in which they had to choose one of three colours to obtain a reward of sugar water. In acquisition, the bees learned this task in about four trials of training. Colour memory was retained after 24-h delay in an unrewarded retention test. Integration experiments were then conducted in which the bees had to learn two successive tasks of colour discrimination with conflicting demands, task 1 for 20 trials and task 2 for ten trials. In task 1, one of three colours provided sugar water while the other two provided tap water, while in task 2 a different colour provided the reward. The bees were given unrewarded tests immediately after training on task 2 and then re-tested after 10 min, 22 h (circadian time of the start of task 1 training), or 24 h (circadian time of the end of task 2 training). Bees strongly preferred the rewarded colour for task 2 on immediate testing and after 10-min delay. After 22-h delay, they switched their preference to the rewarded colour for task 1. But after 24-h delay, the bees again strongly preferred the rewarded colour for task 2. Further tests at a number of delays between 0 and 22 h revealed a sigmoidal pattern of rise in the preference for the task 1 colour. We conclude that circadian time modulates the retrieval of colour memories in honeybees, even when all the training took place in a single day.     

Analysis of local perspectives on sustainable forest management: an Indonesian case studyThis study was funded through a collaborative project between the University of Illinois and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). The ideas contained herein are solely of the authors and do not necessarily reflect official views of CIFOR

Despite widespread acceptance of sustainability as the ultimate goal of forest management, perspectives about its meaning, significance, and relevant indicators may still differ. This paper examines local perspectives on sustainability, and evaluates their similarities and differences. A systematic procedure based on criteria of proximity, pre-existing rights, dependency, knowledge of forest management, forestry spirit, daily activity, and legal rights was used to identify a small group of relevant stakeholders representing different groups, institutions, and organizations. Using participatory action research (PAR), stakeholders were asked to identify relevant indicators of sustainable forest management. The indicators identified by each stakeholder were then compared to a consolidated list assembled by field facilitators with respect to whether relevant indicators are present or not. Based on the resulting presence/absence matrix, a statistical tool called the simple matching coefficient was used to estimate the similarity measures among the stakeholders' perspectives. In addition, cluster analysis was used to classify groups of stakeholders depending on their similarities to each other. Finally, hypotheses related to the 'closeness' of perspectives among local communities, non-governmental organizations, a timber company, and government organizations, as revealed by their selection of indicators, were tested. Results show that: (a) local communities have different perceptions in terms of what they consider to be important indicators compared to the NGOs, (b) there are significantly different perceptions between the government and the timber companies, and (c) there are also different perceptions between urban and field-based personnel of the same organization.     

Metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles from plant,animal, and fisheries wastes: potential and valorization for application in agriculture

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Global agriculture is facing tremendous challenges due to climate change. The most predominant amongst these challenges are abiotic and biotic...     

A facile method of resource recovery from bauxite residue by phosphoric acid treatment

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Bauxite residue (BR) is an industrial waste from alumina refineries. Despite being comprised of valuable secondary materials, utilization of BR is...     

Effect Of n-amyl alcohol/biodiesel blended nano additives on the performance,combustion and emission characteristics of CRDi diesel engine

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper deals with the study on the influence of the effects of iron oxide nanoparticle additives when added to ternary fuel (diesel + mahua methyl...     

Effect of decontamination and processing on insecticide residues in grape (Muscat Hamburg)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of simple decontamination methods and processing on imidacloprid, dimethoate, and...